XOXO

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Posted by chrispar

I'm not a teacher I am a masters level social worker and I never was in this situation but I am wondering if you can take classes non matriculated first to get your GPA up and then they may accept you into a masters program. Not sure if I know what I am talking about but why don't you call the admissions office and discuss it at the school that you are interested or maybe you can take the undergrad classes over again that you did poorly in. HTH and Good Luck!

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I'm not a teacher either, but I recommend contacting prospective schools you want to get your masters in and ask them these questions. You never know what they will say, I also that you can add letters of recommendations to your application from previous employers, professors, etc.

I agree with Christine... check out the schools you want to apply to and ask them about doing nonmatriculated courses which means you are not in the teaching program you are just taking classes that will help get you into that program and bring up your GPA. I think most schools would look at your dedication and determination in wanting to become a teacher and suggest the non-matriculated programs to you. I go to Hofstra (yes I pay 2 arms and 2 legs for tuition ) and they have a non-matriculated program. I am in the Early Childhood Special Education program but have my BA in Psych. So I did not need a certain amount of credits in any certain area to join that program because I am not in secondary education going for English or Math or Science etc. But if that si what you want to do then I believe you need a certain amount of undergrad credits before you can actually get into the program.

However, Hofstra has Inclusive programs which is what I am in. I do not have an education undergrad degree so I am going for my Masters is Education sort of blindly in their opinion so I take more credits to receive my certification in teaching. If I had an undergrad degree in education I would only need about 25 credits to get my Masters instead of 48. So that is another thing you should look into and ask questions about.

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Posted by cbcf

I agree with Christine... check out the schools you want to apply to and ask them about doing nonmatriculated courses which means you are not in the teaching program you are just taking classes that will help get you into that program and bring up your GPA. I think most schools would look at your dedication and determination in wanting to become a teacher and suggest the non-matriculated programs to you. I go to Hofstra (yes I pay 2 arms and 2 legs for tuition ) and they have a non-matriculated program. I am in the Early Childhood Special Education program but have my BA in Psych. So I did not need a certain amount of credits in any certain area to join that program because I am not in secondary education going for English or Math or Science etc. But if that si what you want to do then I believe you need a certain amount of undergrad credits before you can actually get into the program.

However, Hofstra has Inclusive programs which is what I am in. I do not have an education undergrad degree so I am going for my Masters is Education sort of blindly in their opinion so I take more credits to receive my certification in teaching. If I had an undergrad degree in education I would only need about 25 credits to get my Masters instead of 48. So that is another thing you should look into and ask questions about.

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I'm in childhood education too, but at Hunter. They didn't have requirements for certain credits either.

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Posted by Mici n KC

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Posted by cbcf

I agree with Christine... check out the schools you want to apply to and ask them about doing nonmatriculated courses which means you are not in the teaching program you are just taking classes that will help get you into that program and bring up your GPA. I think most schools would look at your dedication and determination in wanting to become a teacher and suggest the non-matriculated programs to you. I go to Hofstra (yes I pay 2 arms and 2 legs for tuition ) and they have a non-matriculated program. I am in the Early Childhood Special Education program but have my BA in Psych. So I did not need a certain amount of credits in any certain area to join that program because I am not in secondary education going for English or Math or Science etc. But if that si what you want to do then I believe you need a certain amount of undergrad credits before you can actually get into the program.

However, Hofstra has Inclusive programs which is what I am in. I do not have an education undergrad degree so I am going for my Masters is Education sort of blindly in their opinion so I take more credits to receive my certification in teaching. If I had an undergrad degree in education I would only need about 25 credits to get my Masters instead of 48. So that is another thing you should look into and ask questions about.

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I'm in childhood education too, but at Hunter. They didn't have requirements for certain credits either.

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yeah I wish I went to Hunter. I would have saved myself about $25,000 loans But I live in Suffolk and went to school in NYC for undergrad and commutted my last year 2 days outta the week. I just didn't think it was worth paying a loan on a car, paying for my train and subway ticket and commuting into the city several days outta the week not allowing me to work at where I am now for all 5 days. So I decided let me have $40,000 in loans for just my Masters

I'm in a similar situation. I didn't get my full degree but took classes at Suffolk - I did good in some, bad in others... I really didn't care. It wasn't until I decided what I wanted to be that I really got serious. I went back to school for my undergrad - Empire State College (great!!). I now have a 4.0 and should be done this May -- if not, after summer session. I never thought I would be able to do it - something like school never keeps my interest long but this time was different because I saw the light at the end of the tunnel - a career I really want to be in. I will soon be applying for my Master's Degree at Queens College because that is the only school in the entire tri-state area that offers the degree program I need to become a Home & Careers teacher. That subject is state required AND because Queens is the only school close by to offer it - the jobs are in demand!

So, I would say you'd probably have to go back for your undergrad. Meet with an advisor to see what credits they will take from your Bachelor's and go about getting a new Bachelor's in something useful for education. But, you need to decide what kind of teacher you want to be. IMO, choose something that is in demand -- Elementary Ed is so hard to get. If you have an accounting degree - ask if you can use that towards getting a math degree. If you are good with accounting then I'm assuming you are good with Math?? Then, once you get that done - you need your Master's in Education and after the cert. exams you can teach Math! I would get certified in 6-12 so you can teach both middle and high school - that will make you more marketable.

My husband did this -- went for pre-med, decided he didn't want to pursue that after getting his Bachelor's so he went to CW Post and took all the classes he needed to take his undergrad degree and obtain another degree in Science. Then, he went to Dowling for his Master's in Education (he finished in NINE months!) and he'll be walking in May -- has two state exams done, just needs to do three more in his specialized areas and he is all set to apply for jobs. He'll be certified in Biology, Chemistry, and General Science from 6-12. He should have no problem findiing a job even now because he is Science - an area that is in high demand.

HTH! You can do it!